The book is heavy (1.23 kg), so if you buy more than one, overseas postage jumps up by quite a lot - costing more than sending two separately. Therefore, If you order two, they will be sent separately.

If the book is damaged in the post, take photos of the damage, even if you intend to refuse the parcel - this should speed up the insurance and replacement proccess - though hopefully it won't be needed :-).

* * *

The book is designed to serve as a help, guidance and instruction to all those who would like to venture into the marvellous world of Victorian dressmaking. I hope it will be useful to a theatre costumier, TV costume drama technician, fashion student, historical reenactor, a steampunk, a cosplayer or a home sewer with a passion for history. In short – to all people who would like to create a quality fashion garment form the Victorian era.

The richly illustrated book covers the patterns, cut and asssembly of a variety of women's clothing from 1838 to 1902. Both modern and historical sewing techniques, tools and materials are discussed and shown step by step through clear instructions and illustrations.

Please note, this book will not teach you how to sew - you already need to be able to use a sewing machine, to cut a pattern etc. Techniques are explained in the book, both basic and more advanced ones, but you will need some fundamental sewing/fitting patterning experience to make the best use of it.

The Victorian Dressmaker makes a hugely important addition to 19th century scholarship in one beautifully illustrated volume. Pitcher offers an overview of dress practices in the 19th century through fashion illustrations and original garments, with skilful instructional photographs and text. The greater part of the book is devoted to the construction of more than 30 complete garments, accurate in every detail based on extensive research by the author. It is a book that will appeal to makers from across the spectrum. If Janet Arnold was the creator of the first Patterns of Fashion concept, this is a wonderful successor and deserves to become a classic in the field of fashion history.

Dr Kate Strasdin

Fashion Historian

***

“A brilliant resource! The Victorian Dressmaker is packed with goodies, instructions, and wonderful photos to give the reader an exciting look at clothing construction techniques in the 19th Century as well as guide for use in their own projects. The first full section covers all sorts of various sewing methods needed to make Victorian garments from chemise and corsets to final bodice with trims. Then comes dozens of graph patterns covering dress ensemble pieces from the 1830s through early 1900s with sewing steps that will instill the reader with creativity for years to come. I will be opening this book often for inspiration in my own Victorian sewing projects.”

Jennifer Rosbrugh, Owner

Historical Sewing Blog & Online School

***

This is an incredibly comprehensive ‘how to’ book but it is also a journey through time covering every decade of Victorian Dress from 1837-1902 with an astounding number of projects designed to ensure that every modern Victorian has the right clothes for the right occasion in the right decade. With exceptional attention to detail, there are xx projects illustrated by clear diagrams and over xxx colour photographs which demonstrate every step of every process from underpinnings to trims and everything in between. This essential volume is prefaced by all the critical information required to understand the psyche of the Victorian Dressmaker and ends with a glossary and an index of where to acquire all of the necessary supplies and tools to get started. A truly remarkable and unrivalled work which is sure to become a new classic on the bookshelf of every professional and aspiring costumier"

Roughly 400 m of silks, 20 of wool, and 250 of linen and cotton were used to make the garments for the book...

Roughly well over a 1500 hours of stitching was involved.....

Almost 3 years in the making (longer if you include some garments made before)250 hours to put it all together in Indesign ( a very steep learning curve!)

Note:Despite several proofs and 6 people looking at the proofs, a few images seem to have got mixed up in the printing... mistakes have been corrected in the second run, but you can downoad a pdf with the correct pictures/data here if you have the first edition!

Second edition - only one pattern still appears incorrectly, on page 232 - you can download it in the file above too!